Male unemployment — all countries

Male unemployment — Southern Africa

Male unemployment in Southern Africa in 2025 — 29.75%. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 9.62 pp.

2025 29.75% +0.54 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 30.81%2021
Period minimum 19.25%2007

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of male labor force

Male unemployment — Southern Africa, 1991–2025152025303519911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 20.12%1992: 20.41%1993: 20.43%1994: 20.24%1995: 19.91%1996: 19.71%1997: 19.72%1998: 19.82%1999: 19.84%2000: 19.67%2001: 19.59%2002: 19.62%2003: 19.79%2004: 19.64%2005: 19.51%2006: 19.31%2007: 19.25%2008: 19.32%2009: 21.25%2010: 22.13%2011: 21.78%2012: 21.92%2013: 22.13%2014: 22.3%2015: 22.48%2016: 23.77%2017: 24.4%2018: 24.38%2019: 25.9%2020: 26.92%2021: 30.81%2022: 30.23%2023: 28.81%2024: 29.2%2025: 29.75%
Change over the period: +9.62 pp Annual average: 0.28 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Southern Africa

Southern Africa 29.75%
World 4.69%
Male unemployment — Southern Africa, by year Southern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 29.75 +0.54 pp
2024 29.2 +0.4 pp
2023 28.81 −1.43 pp
2022 30.23 −0.58 pp
2021 30.81 +3.89 pp
2020 26.92 +1.02 pp
2019 25.9 +1.53 pp
2018 24.38 −0.02 pp
2017 24.4 +0.63 pp
2016 23.77 +1.28 pp
2015 22.48 +0.18 pp
2014 22.3 +0.17 pp
2013 22.13 +0.21 pp
2012 21.92 +0.14 pp
2011 21.78 −0.34 pp
2010 22.13 +0.87 pp
2009 21.25 +1.93 pp
2008 19.32 +0.07 pp
2007 19.25 −0.06 pp
2006 19.31 −0.2 pp
2005 19.51 −0.13 pp
2004 19.64 −0.16 pp
2003 19.79 +0.17 pp
2002 19.62 +0.04 pp
2001 19.59 −0.08 pp
2000 19.67 −0.17 pp
1999 19.84 +0.02 pp
1998 19.82 +0.11 pp
1997 19.72 +0.01 pp
1996 19.71 −0.21 pp
1995 19.91 −0.33 pp
1994 20.24 −0.19 pp
1993 20.43 +0.02 pp
1992 20.41 +0.29 pp
1991 20.12

About the indicator

The share of the male labor force that is unemployed. The gap between the sexes shows up only when this series is compared with the female one, and it is not universal — in Southern Europe and Latin America female unemployment is markedly higher, while in a number of countries of Eastern Europe and Africa male unemployment is higher, because men work in industries sensitive to a downturn.

Important: The denominator is the male labor force, not the whole male population: men who neither work nor look for work are not in it.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.